On behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Portland, I share with you the great joy of our Church at the election of Pope Leo XIV as our new Holy Father. As the successor of St. Peter, he now carries the sacred responsibility of shepherding the Church and leading us in the mission of proclaiming the Gospel and building up the Body of Christ. I invite all of us to pray for our new pope as he begins this important ministry, that the Holy Spirit may guide and strengthen him in his service to the Church and the world.

-Bishop James T. Ruggieri